Division of Health Sciences
 Kelly Betterman - Research Assistant, Lymphatic Development Laboratory, Hanson Institute/Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science |
‘There is going to be enormous opportunity for young laboratory medicine
professionals in the future. I really think that this particular
profession is going to be in demand over the next five to ten years.
Genetic and Molecular Pathology are very much the new frontiers in
laboratory medicine. We are now diagnosing at the level of DNA – looking
at the molecular basis of disease, of disease process, and of
disease-causing organisms. That’s been the biggest change over the last
five to ten years. There is a trend towards more rapid diagnosis. The
other trend is for medical scientists to provide value-added diagnostic
information rather than just a stack of numbers. It’s important to
provide information that allows doctors and other health workers to
diagnose and treat.'
Darryl Graham, Manager, Laboratory Medicine, Women’s and Children’s
Hospital
What do you need to study to become a Medical Scientist? UniSA’s
Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine trains Medical Scientists who are ready
to take on vital roles, in the detection, diagnosis and management of
diseases, in laboratories, hospitals and research organisations in
Australia and around the world. Medical Science is a dynamic profession
with excellent long-term career prospects including management,
research, education and specialised laboratory work.
Accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS),
UniSA’s four year program begins with core studies in physical and
biomedical sciences, followed by specialised studies in the major
pathology disciplines (including haematology, histopathology,
microbiology, clinical chemistry, transfusion science, and molecular
pathology). The degree includes a years worth of full-time clinical
placement where you can gain practical experience working alongside
professionals in real world laboratories.
Recent UniSA graduates talk about where a degree in Laboratory Medicine
degree has led them.
‘I’m working on a project that is investigating whether there is a link
between lymphatic development and mammary development, which could lead
to finding better treatments for breast cancer. My job involves a lot of
hands-on work in the lab performing experiments, reading papers and
working with other researchers. I like the unpredictability of it. You
don’t know what’s around the corner, what result you might get and what
those results might lead to. Working in medical research is very
satisfying for me personally as I believe without research we couldn’t
have made all the wonderful, serendipitous and life-saving discoveries
in health science that we have, now and into the future. I feel
privileged to be a part of it all!’
Kelly Betterman - Research Assistant, Lymphatic Development
Laboratory, Hanson Institute/Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science
‘I’m part of a team researching various aspects of spinal health. We
look at things like osteoporosis and vertebral fractures. Basically what
we are doing is finding scientific solutions for back pain. I love
working in research because it’s so unpredictable. I get to do a lot of
hands-on work, which I really enjoy because it’s anything but routine.
Medical research is a great area to be in because it’s so rewarding. I
get to work with a great bunch of people who all have the same goal – to
improve the health of future generations.’
Olga Theodorakakos - Grant-funded scientist, Adelaide Centre for
Spinal Research, IMVS
If you are interested in science, are inquisitive and have an analytical
mind and attention to detail then look further at UniSA’s
Laboratory Medicine program and a career as a Medical Scientist.
